'Apes' owns box office

July 22, 2014 12:01 AM

This photo released by Twentieth Century Fox Film Corporation shows Toby Kebbell, as Koba, leading a battle in a scene from the film, "Dawn of the Planet of the Apes." (AP Photo/Twentieth Century Fox Film Corporation)Twentieth Century Fox Film Corpo

July 22, 2014 12:01 AM

A raunchy romantic comedy, an anarchy thriller and an animated kids' flick couldn't unseat the primates ruling the box office.

"Dawn of the Planet of the Apes," the 3-D sequel to the 2011 blockbuster "Rise of the Planet of the Apes," took in $36 million during its second weekend to remain at No. 1.

"The Purge: Anarchy" opened at No. 2, bringing in about $28.4 million its first weekend.

"Planes: Fire & Rescue" came in at No. 3 after it pulled in $18 million. The Disney family film, which cost about $50 million to make, follows firefighting aircraft (voiced by Dane Cook, Ed Harris, Julie Bowen and Wes Studi) who team up to battle a wildfire.

"Sex Tape," starring Jason Segel and Cameron Diaz, didn't thrill critics -- it got a 20 percent positive score on Rotten Tomatoes -- and it pulled in $15 million to land at No. 4 for the weekend.

Hoffman leaves

$35M to partner

The late Philip Seymour Hoffman rejected his accountant's suggestion that he set aside money for his three children because he didn't want them to be "trust fund" kids.

Court records show that Hoffman wanted his estimated $35 million fortune to go his longtime partner and the children's mother, Mimi O'Donnell.

The court-appointed attorney says the actor's will should be approved by the court because there isn't anything suspicious about it.

Jane Fonda to play

Mr. Burns' girlfriend

Jane Fonda, Sarah Silverman and Nick Offerman are among the guest voices on "The Simpsons" this fall.

"The Simpsons" returns for its 26th season on Sept. 28. Fonda plays Mr. Burns' girlfriend, while Willem Dafoe voices the part of Bart's bullying teacher Mr. Lassen. Offerman and Silverman are heard in other episodes. Judd Apatow writes a special episode set to air later in the season.

Hanks starts work

on film in Egypt

Tom Hanks has started shooting portions of his new film "A Hologram for the King" in Egypt's Red Sea resort city of Hurghada.

Hanks said it was his first visit to the Red Sea, though he's read a lot about it. Hanks will be sleeping in a yacht in the Red Sea during the filming.

Egypt's state news agency MENA reported that Hanks will film scenes in diving areas off the coast.

Hanks will play the role of a struggling American salesman who travels to Saudi Arabia to sign a contract with a wealthy monarch, but instead finds himself entangled in a series of misadventures.

The movie is set to be released in 2015.

Russell finishes film

without Paul Walker

Kurt Russell said he's completed his final two scenes in the latest "Fast & Furious" scenes without the late Paul Walker.

Russell had a day left of shooting when Walker died in a car crash in November outside of Los Angeles.

The 63-year-old Russell said he returned to work on the two scenes left to do with Walker about two months ago. He said he filmed the scenes with Walker's two brothers Caleb and Cody.

The "Fast" team was "trying to work the best magic they can to make 'Fast & Furious 7' complete," Russell said.

Russell signed on to the seventh film in the franchise to play the father of Vin Diesel's character Dominic Toretto. Acknowledging that Walker's death left the filmmakers in a "tough spot," Russell said the brothers had a great relationship with the "Fast & Furious people" and Diesel had been "really working it hard." The film is to premiere in April 2015.